Transport of food

Due to the risk of the introduction of diseases to the European Union (EU), there are strict procedures concerning the introduction of some animal products into the EU. These procedures do not apply to the transport of animal products between the 27 member nations of the EU or to products originating form Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Sweden.

All animal products not meeting these requirements must be sent for official destruction after entering the EU.

Failure to report such products may result in a fine or the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Small amounts of meat or meat or dairy products (not including powdered milk, baby foods, special foods or pet foots required for medical reasons).Meat or meat or dairy products (not including powdered milk, baby foods, special foods or pet foots required for medical reasons) is may be brought or sent into the EU by personal packages only if they are transported from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland, and their weight is less than 10 kilograms per person.

Powdered baby formula, baby food, and special foods required for medical purposesPowdered baby formula, baby food, and special foods required for medical purposes may be brought into the EU or sent into the EU in personal packages only under the condition that:

they originate from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 10 kilograms per person, and that:

the product does not require refrigeration before opening

the product constitutes a packaged company product, and

the packaging has not been disturbed, indicated that at a given moment it has not been used.

they originate from other countries than Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms per person, and that:

the product does not require refrigeration before opening

the product is does not constitute a packaged company product, and

the packaging has not been disturbed, indicated that at a given moment it has not been used.

Special pet foods required for medical purposesSpecial pet foods required for medical purposes may be brought into the EU or sent into the EU in personal packages only under the condition that:

they originate from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 10 kilograms per person, and that:

the product does not require refrigeration before opening

the product constitutes a packaged company product, and

the packaging has not been disturbed, indicated that at a given moment it has not been used.

they originate from other countries than Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms per person, and that:

the product does not require refrigeration during transport

the product constitutes a packaged company product, and

the packaging has not been disturbed, indicated that at a given moment it has not been used.

Small amounts of fishery products intended for individual consumptionFisheries products may be transported into the EU or sent in personal packages (including fresh, dried, cooked, cured or smoked fish and some shellfish including shrimp, lobster, live mussels and dead oysters) only under the condition that:

fresh fish are eviscerated;

the weight of fish products does not exceed 20 kilograms or the weight of one fish, whichever is greater.

These limits do not apply to fish products from the Faroe Islands or Iceland.

Small amounts of other animal products intended for individual consumptionOther animal products such as honey, live oysters and snails may be transported or sent into the EU only under the condition that:

they originate from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 10 kilograms per person, or that;

they originate from other countries than Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland and their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms per person.

It should be noted that the introduction of small amounts of animal products in five categories is allowed (par 1-5), provided that the conditions are met in all applicable paragraphs.

Larger amount of animal productsLarger quantities of animal products can be transported or sent into the EU only if they meet all of the requirements concerning commercial transport, which include:

the presentation of goods along with the appropriate documentation at a border control point authorised for veterinary controls at the moment of entry into the EU.

Exempted animal productsThe rules presented above do not apply to the following products:

Bread, cake and biscuits, tea bags, and chocolate and confectionary products (including candies) that are not mixed or stuffed with meat products;

dietary supplements packaged for the end user;

Meat extracts and concentrates;

Olives stuffed with fish;

Pasta that is not mixed or stuffed with meat products;

Bullion and seasonings for soups packaged for the end user;

Any other food product not containing fresh or processed meat or dairy products and containing less than 50% processed egg or fishery products.

Animal products originating from protected speciesIn the case of certain protected species, additional limitations may apply. For example, in the case of caviar from certain species of sturgeon, the limit is 125 grams per person.